Diplomats from member countries of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central African States (CEMAC) in Malabo also demanded for the immediate release of their nationals arrested during a patrol. They said this is likely to affect good and long standing relationship between member states of CEMAC and Equatorial Guinea. The central police station in Malabo confirmed that since May 26, several foreigners have been arrested after police checks. According to figures given by Group Research and Action on Migration in Central Africa (Gram-Ac), more than 800 Africans were expelled from Equatorial Guinea in between May and December 2010 for varied reasons.
Members of the civil society have also expressed outrage at the many abuses suffered by migrants vulnerable to exploitation, racism and discrimination and demanded for the respect of their rights. Further, they have requested chancelleries to pass laws to ensure that migrants are no longer abused and driven from their new home in this current spirit of globalization.
The United Nations has also denounced the lack of transparency of the deportation procedure.
On his part, the Equatorial Guinea president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema, believes that there is no violation of human rights in his country and stated the arrests referred to were merely security measures being put in place to ensure the safety of the invited guests at the AU Summit.
Due to pressure from advocates for human rights, UNESCO suspended its award for scientific work which aims at contributing to "a better quality of life." to president Obiang Nguema.